Dont'a Hightower adjusting nicely to NFL game

Patriots rookie linebacker Dont'a Hightower has earned starting reps for the majority of training camp, and the adjustment has appeared to be more seamless than anticipated.

Hightower recognized some terminology the first time he looked at the Patriots' playbook, which has some similarities to Alabama's defense, so he was ahead of the game in that regard.

"I feel like one of the biggest things I have is my football IQ," Hightower said. "I feel like I'm able to grasp things a little bit faster than others. I feel like I'm doing a pretty good job of learning the playbook. I'm just trying to be a sponge to some of the older guys and cheat sheets and different hints that they know that I don't know yet. I'm just trying to learn from some of the older guys."

Hightower already looks the part of an NFL linebacker. He's bigger than both Jerod Mayo and Brandon Spikes, and he's got decent speed. Hightower has been better in man than zone assignments, and he really attacks the line in the run game.

Through it all, Hightower said part of his quick adjustment can be credited to the fact that the speed of the game hasn't been as tremendously overwhelming as he might have expected. Then again, that will change when he takes the field against players in different uniforms.

"To me, the speed hasn't change as much, not as big (of an adjustment) as I thought it would be," Hightower said. "The players that are in front of me and around me, you can definitely tell the difference between college and pros. But it's just something that after a little while you get a little bit of experience and things will slow down for you. I'm starting to hit that bump where things are starting to slow down for me. I'm getting a little bit more comfortable in my style of play."